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On Monday, December 21, 2015, Archbishop Melissa Skelton wrote a letter that was circulated electronically around the diocese of New Westminster and beyond. Here is an excerpt from that letter:

“…I am excited to announce the creation of The Archbishop's Fund for Refugee Resettlement. I am initiating this fund in response to the outpouring of interest in our diocese in assisting refugees (there are 14 projects currently underway) and from my own conviction that becoming more involved in this important effort in Canada is a powerful expression of who we are as Anglican Christians.

The purpose of this fund is to cover a range of expenses above and beyond the monies raised by parishes or other groups to satisfy the requirements of their sponsorship applications. Examples of the kinds of expenses the Archbishop's Fund for Refugee Resettlement could cover include: the repayment of travel loans, extraordinary medical expenses, ”month 13” expenses (expenses during the time of transition from sponsor support to self-sufficiency), and any other unforeseen gaps between a refugee family’s projected expenses and what it actually costs to live in this part of Canada.

I would ask that you share the news about this fund by forwarding this information to friends, relatives, co-workers and social network contacts. I also encourage all the parishes of the diocese to link to this article from your parish websites and social media accounts. Let’s see if we can encourage many, many people to contribute.”

How to Give

Those wishing to contribute by credit card will find a "Give" button located at the top of each page (the header) of the diocesan website. For your convenience here is a DIRECT LINK TO THE GIVING PAGE. You can also text DONW to 7797, and this same contribution link will be texted to you. Please click on the dropdown box beside the words "Giving Type".

Those wishing to make a contribution by cheque, may make out the cheque to The Diocese of New Westminster, noting that it is for the Archbishop's Fund for Refugee Resettlement and mail it to: 1410 Nanton Avenue, Vancouver BC V6H 2E2.